Northern Rock Launches New Fixed Rate e-ISAs

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, England, August 19, 2011 -

Northern Rock has launched three new online issues of its fixed rate cash e-ISA to complement its competitive portfolio of internet-based savings accounts.

e-ISA offers those who prefer to operate their accounts via the internet an online option for their tax-free* savings. e-ISA is a cash ISA set at a competitive fixed rate of interest over a choice of one, two or three years and can be opened with no minimum initial deposit.

Interest, which can be added to the account or paid into another account, is paid annually on the first business day following 5th August on minimum balances of £500 (balances which fall below this amount will earn Northern Rock’s prevailing rate of interest, 0.10% tax free* pa /AER**).

Strictly limited issues, the fixed rate cash e-ISAs (issues 19, 20 and 21) allow transfers in from other providers and additional deposits can be made to the cash ISAs, within HM Revenue and Customs limits (£5,340 per tax-year from 6 April 2011) up to 30 days after the product is withdrawn (excepting postal applications to transfer in from other banks and building society ISA accounts, which must be received while the product remains on sale).

To guarantee funds are accepted into a new account, Northern Rock advises all funds to be deposited within 30 days from the account opening date. Any deposits received after 30 days may be returned to customers. This includes any funds transferred in from an existing cash ISA, therefore customers should ensure that they initiate any Cash ISA transfers in as soon as they receive their new Cash ISA details. Subscriptions are not allowed to any other Cash ISAs in the same tax year(s) that customers subscribe to this Cash ISA, even if they have not used your full annual allowances(s).

30 days following the products withdrawal, no further deposits will be accepted and all three issues may be withdrawn without notice once fully subscribed.

Minimum withdrawals of £1 by BACS and £250 by CHAPS can be made from the account, subject to a charge equivalent to 60 days’ loss of interest on the amount withdrawn (Issue 19), 90 days’ loss of interest on the amount withdrawn (Issue 20), or 120 days’ loss of interest on the amount withdrawn (Issue 21). There is a £35 fee for transfers out via CHAPS.

Notes to Editors:

*The tax-free rate is the contractual rate of interest payable where interest is exempt from income tax.

**AER stands for Annual Equivalent Rate and shows what the interest rate would be when interest is paid and added to the capital balance each year.

Online cash ISA rates are as follows:

3.20% tax-free* pa /AER** fixed until 24 September 2012 (Fixed Rate e-ISA Issue 19)

3.55% tax-free* pa /AER** fixed until 24 September 2013 (Fixed Rate e-ISA Issue 20)

3.80% tax-free* pa /AER** fixed until 24 September 2014 (Fixed Rate e-ISA Issue 21)

About Northern Rock:

Northern Rock plc is a new bank, authorised by the FSA as a deposit taker and mortgage lender from 1 January 2010. It offers savings accounts to customers in the UK and Ireland (including fixed rate bonds) and mortgages to UK borrowers. New products are offered through both direct channels - including a national branch network - and mortgage intermediaries.

Northern Rock continues to operate within the compensatory measures agreed with the EC as part of the State Aid approval announced in October 2009.

In June 2011, Northern Rock was awarded a national Big Tick Award in Business in the Community’s Awards for Excellence, in the category of Building Stronger Communities.

Media Contact:
Jule Wilson
Northern Rock House
Gosforth
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE3 4PL
+44-(0)191-279-4676
www.northernrock.co.uk

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